MAEF Flash News - January 2008

 

 

 

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MAEF Flash News - January   Dates to Remember: Jan. 5 - State FFA Officer Enrichment Training Jan. 9 - MATA Board Meeting Jan. 9-11 - MANTS Show   Jan. 21 - Martin Luther King Day   March 29 - MDA Open House         Black History Month  It's not too early to plan for Black History month and learn about the life and contributions of George Washington Carver.   The Ag Returns to the City program has lessons and hands-on activities for students that showcase how Dr. Carver's work with soybeans is still invaluable today.   Call Charles Gummer at   410-960-2979 or the MAEF office to schedule a presentation for your class.   Support MAEF!Buy Ag Tags!  *Programs funded by Ag Tag revenues*     Attention: Poster Contest Calling all students in grades K-12   Submit your poster sharing what you know about Maryland agriculture!   Your artistic entry may be selected to appear on the   2008-2009 Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation Calendar.   Deadline for entries is May 1, 2008!  A $50 cash award will be awarded to each of the 18 selected entries.   MAEF Board Member Honored   MAEF Board Member Andy Cashman has been honored as Fair Person of the Year by the Maryland Association of Agricultural Fairs and Shows.    Cashman is the youngest person in MAAF's history to receive this honor.  He has been the assistant general manager for the Maryland State Fair for the past ten years.  Along with sitting on the MAEF board,  Cashman is involved with the Maryland 4-H Foundation and the Maryland Agricultural Education Board.    MAEF Travels to Las Vegas Slot machines, National Finals Rodeo and Cowboy Christmas Gift Show were not the only events in Las Vegas the week of December 11-15, 2007.  The National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) held their annual convention during the Association of Career and Technical Educators (ACTE) convention.  Sarah Shriner, Director of Middle School and Urban Outreach and Leasa Gudderra, Assistant Director of High School/Post Secondary Education represented MAEF at the five day event. MAEF staff attended to obtain new ideas for agricultural curriculum, technologies and products, resources, networking and support of the Maryland agricultural teachers. Five Maryland agricultural teachers were also in attendance .Mike Harrington of Brunswick High School, Diane Ogg of Catoctin High School, Aaron Geiman of North Carroll High School, Naomi Knight of Harford Technical High School and Keith Good of Tawes Technology and Career Center represented MATA.  The convention features a career show, professional development presentations, award sessions, dynamic speakers like Ruby Payne and more!  Among the many NAAE presenters at this year's convention was Diane Ogg.  Diane is a DuPont National Agricultural Science Teacher Ambassador and instructed teachers about hands-on lessons that can be used in the classroom.  Naomi Knight was awarded the Outstanding Teacher of Region VI of the NAAE.  Congratulations to Naomi on this high honor and representing the state of Maryland well.  MAEF would also like to recognize Mike Harrington for being elected to the position of Region VI Secretary for 2008.  Sally Shomo, Beverley Manor Middle School (Virginia) agricultural teacher and last year's Region VI Vice President, was elected to the position of NAAE President Elect.  Sally will be the President of the NAAE in 2009. Aaron Geiman and Naomi Knight were named Vice Chairs of two different national committees.   The state of Maryland received a Professional Award based on the activities of the Maryland Agricultural Teachers Association. It was a very successful convention and the participants are looking forward to the 2008 convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Floral Arrangement in a Cup   Just in time for the holidays, students from the 7th grade art therapy class at Calverton Elementary /Middle School and 7th graders from Dr. Rayner Browne Elementary/Middle School, learned what it would be like to design floral designer.   Students from Ms. Sterling and Ms. Randall's classes used evergreens and colorful flowers, as well as professional floral medium, to prepare a holiday arrangement in a cup. Many students planned to give their arrangement to someone special.   Sheri Frank, Weis Market in Perry Hall, Maryland, provided flowers at cost. Cliff Davis, Perry Hall Lawn Equipment, donated the greens.   Did you know that trees left over on the lot might be taken to a farm to provide a holiday dinner for the goats?     Mobile Science Lab gets Upgrade   The MAEF Food, Fiber and You Mobile Science Classroom will be getting an upgrade this year.             MAEF has purchased a new gooseneck trailer to house the Food, Fiber and You lab.  The new gooseneck trailer will be available for the 2008/2009 school year.    The three MAEF labs average 28 weeks of service with over 17,500 student visits each year.                MAEF is currently looking for sponsors to help with the cost of the new Food, Fiber & You mobile Science lab.  If you would like more information, please contact George Mayo at 410-939-9030.   2008 Urban Youth Garden Grants   Make plans to consider an Edible Garden at your school or organization. MAEF will announce details for the 2008 Urban Youth Garden Grant program in January.   This project offers students direct experience with growing, harvesting and preparing of the freshest foods while learning plant requirements, conditions, nutrition and wellness.   For more information, contact Charles Gummer at 410-960-2979.

 

Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation | PO Box 536 | Havre de Grace | MD | 21078